Making healthy food choices at the Elkhart County 4H Fair

The Elkhart County 4H Fair, which runs from July 24 – Aug. 1, is coming soon, and you know what that means—deep fried food on a stick! But the aftermath of eating unhealthy fair fare isn't all fun and games. The calories, fat and grease inherent in most of these foods will follow you around long after you've left the fairgrounds. But are there even healthy options to be had at the Elkhart County Fair?

While you won't find many fresh vegetables, salads or fruits at the fair, that doesn't mean there aren't healthy, delicious alternatives to the sugar-loaded concession foods. Here are a few of the best food picks for this year's fair.

Go with gyros, not beef tips. Beef tips are filled with fat and cholesterol. Gyros are packed with fresh veggies, and you can spring for the light sauce to make them even better.

Go with corn on the cob, not a smoked turkey leg. Corn on the cob only costs you 179 calories, whereas a smoked turkey leg comes in at a whopping 1136 calories.

Go with a caramel apple, not cotton candy. Cotton candy is literally spun sugar, so best to stay away from it altogether. Caramel apples, on the other hand, are sweet treats that at least carry some nutritional value. Make sure to steer clear of caramel apples embellished with popcorn or candy.

Go with fat-free frozen yogurt, not ice cream. If you're looking for a cold, refreshing treat, fro-yo is a low-fat alternative to regular ice cream that will do the job well! It's even better if you can find a fat-free version.

Some other tips when visiting the fair this year: bring your own food to save money and calories, avoid anything fried, seek out local merchants and, most importantly, have a good time!

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